A dog grooming salon, offering luxurious spa packages including blueberry facials, oatmeal paw butter and fresh breath spray is opening in Whitchurch.
Experienced dog groomer Gemma Pocock opening her first shop on Oatlands Avenue, the first shop to open there since all the previous businesses closed.
Gemma, who is self taught, and currently operates from her garden in Ashton Vale, will also be selling top quality grooming equipment and dog accessories as well as offering premium treatments to dogs of all temperaments and sizes.
Gemma, who started up at the age of 19 from her home in Ashton Vale, has developed a large clientele from her five years of experience.
She says, “I spent my first year practising on my friends and family’s dogs.
“Following this I started to get really busy so I completed my level three in city and guilds in dog grooming about four years ago and ever since then I’ve developed a large clientele.”
Gemma adds that expanding her business into her own shop is “always” something she has wanted to do and has hired a bather to assist her in the running of her groomers.
Gem’s Groom Service will be moving into the unit previously home to Ultimate Hair and Beauty.
“I was looking in BS3 for a unit, but it’s not easy to find a small shop with a lot of parking.
“I already have a lot of elderly clients and I didn’t want them walking ten streets away. So parking was a major factor.
Mrs Pocock and her husband are slightly “concerned” over the amount of closed shops, but feel they have “accounted” for it.
“The major thing I’m comfortable with is that i’m bringing a client base that I’ve set up for five years with me. I’m not starting from scratch.
“I think because this strip of shops has been dead or so long, people will be intrigued, even if they haven’t got a dog, they’ll be interested that something new is here.”
Gemma says she is renowned for her speciality with nervous dogs.
She said: “Although I’ve moved into a shop which is bigger than what I’ve got at home, it is still going to be a calm and friendly environment.
"And this is something people seek me out for, although I do groom dogs of all temperaments”
When is it opening?
Gem’s Groom Service is scheduled to have its first open day on the 13th of July.
